The Carlow Business Awards 2024 are a fantastic way to raise the profile and awareness of a business – they recognise and reward excellence across a variety are areas.
See below a breakdown of the awards categories and a summary of the criteria that they will be assessed by – to assist you in selecting the most relevant categories.
| Award | What type of businesses could win? |
|---|---|
| Workplace Health & Wellbeing Award | Businesses that have excelled at putting systems and structures in place to support and promote the wellbeing of their employees |
| Business Supporting Community Award | Businesses that take a proactive approach to supporting, promoting or working collaboratively with their local community |
| Food and Beverage Producers Award | Businesses that stand out for producing superior quality or innovative food or drinks products |
| Professional Services Award | Businesses in the professional services sector that consistently exceed client or customer expectations in their services offering. eg accountants, solicitors, consultants, trainers, architects etc. |
| Research Innovation and Technology Award | Proactive and dynamic businesses that have identified and applied innovative ways to improve their products or services. |
| Sustainable Initiatives Award | Businesses that take a responsible approach – minimising their impact on the planet, while maximising their positive impacts on people, place and environment. |
| Best Online Presence Award | Businesses that have a strong, engaging and consistent presence on-line (on their website and social platforms) – ensuring customers have a great user experience. |
| Emerging Business Award | Progressive businesses that are excelling or exceeding customers’ expectations – and are less than 3 years in business. |
| International Business Award | Businesses successfully operating internationally – acting as ambassadors for Carlow. |
| Culture Heritage & Tourism Award | Businesses, festivals, events or destinations that add to the local economy and that positively promote county Carlow |
| Daytime Dining Award | Businesses that stand out for providing an excellent or innovative daytime food / beverage offering – in attractive surroundings |
| Night-time Dining Award | Businesses (licensed or unlicensed) that offer evening dining that exceeds expectations – for the quality / diversity of their food, the ambiance, value or customer experience. |
| Personal Service Providers Award | Personal Service Providers e.g. Barbers, Beauticians, Nutritionists, Complimentary Therapists, Fitness Professionals etc that stand out for their business excellence, innovation, range of products or services and customer support. This recognises overall business acumen – rather than the technical skill of the service provided. |
| Best Presented Premises/Shop Front Award – Carlow Town | Businesses that stand out in their locality for their attractive and appealing premises – both interior and exterior. |
| Best Presented Premises/Shop Front Award – Tullow & Carlow North | Businesses that stand out in their locality for their attractive and appealing premises – both interior and exterior. |
| Best Presented Premises/Shop Front Award – Muine Bheag & Carlow South | Businesses that stand out in their locality for their attractive and appealing premises – both interior and exterior. |
| Customer Service Award | Businesses that consistently exceed the expectations of their customers – and that are open, inclusive, value driven and customer-focused |
| Retailer of the Year Award | Strong, dynamic, innovative retailers that provide a positive shopping experience to all their customers. |
| Family Business of the Year | Family owned and run businesses that excel in their field, have grown and evolved and that have made a positive impact. |
| Outstanding Small Business of the Year Award | Business with less than 10 employees that have shown exceptional resilience and growth – exceeding expectations and making a positive impact on the local economy and the industry in which they operate. |
| Outstanding Medium Business of the Year | Businesses with less than 50 employees that have shown exceptional resilience and growth – exceeding expectations and making a positive impact on the local economy and the industry in which they operate. |
| Carlow Business of the Year Award | Businesses with more than 50 employees that have shown exceptional resilience and growth – exceeding expectations and making a positive impact on the local economy and the industry in which they operate. |
